Is this about The catcher in the rye? Then I just can say that Salinger' s work ist the most impressing book somebody has ever written for the jouth and Holden ist the most interesting 16 year-old of the world. I read The catcher in the rye when I was 16 and it' s doubtless my favourite book.

To the person who said Holden "talked too much" duder .. that was the point! I'm a female in love with that book and it's like, sometimes all you do is sit some where and ramble on and on about nothing of any importance. I think THAT was what made Holden so real. He over-analyzed quite a bit, which I think a lot of self concious teens do. I don't think this book so much describes all adolescents, just like Siddhartha doesn't speak the view of every Middle Easterner. You can't write a book and say "This here story is one that every (-fill-in-space-) can identify with." I personally DO agree with a lot of things he has to say but some of my friends think he is full of s***. Anyway ... thats my review :P

I LOVE "Catcher in the Rye". One reason is because if you've ever been 16 or 17...you may be able to understand. Being a kid myself, I'm sick of all these unrealistic TV characters that are supposedly role models for us. Maybe I'm just strange, but virtually nothing that these kids on TV come across are things average kids encounter every day in real life. This book is timeless... Even though a lot has changed since the 1950's, kids still struggle with the same emotions and problems today. I'm sure you'll like Salinger's tale of a confused boy one summer by himself in New York City, just starting to discover the world.

This book is essential if (a) you've ever read Salinger, and (b) if you love short fiction. These tales brought him to the top of my list of favorite short story writers. He is able to paint exquisite pictures of people with their words and mannerismns, often needing little else to move story's narrative. What I particularly enjoy is his occaisional touch of humorous irony that is sometimes reminiscant of John Collier (known more as a poet than short story writer, many of his stories turned up on ALFRED HITCHCOCK PRESENTS and some even on TWILIGHT ZONE). Salinger, for the most part, provides much stronger endings than are popular with today's slice-of-life short fiction. They are often surprising and always thought-provoking. I may be old fashioned, but I believe this is how short stories should be written--and it's how I try to write mine.

When they ask for a review, I never know what to write. 'Nine Stories' is the second Salinger book I've ever read, and, as always, I'm captivated by his writing style and ability to create characters I've seen when looking in the mirror, or glancing around a crowded area. The greatest tradgedy of Salinger is not found in his stories of depression, mental illness, or quiet desperation. The great tradgedy is that he only wrote four books. I like 'Nine Stories' due to it's crazy, 3-dimensional characters, and the insanity of the plots like 'A Perfect Day for Bananafish' and 'The Laughing Man'. 'DePalmer Smith's Blue Period' is the best character study I've seen in any book in the English language. The only complaint I have is that Salinger settles into a repetitive procedure of bringing all his characters to life in the same way. I might have liked to read one story in this book that starred a character completely unlike the others. Someone said in an earlier review that 'there is a Holden inside each of these people.' This is why I did not give the book a perfect 10. While it is not boring, I think Salinger could have done more given his tremendous writing powers. Overall, however, this is a not-to-be-missed book.

This book of short stories is as good as any Salinger out there, including the often worshipped "Catcher in the Rye." There are so many more levels of life shown in this book.

Most people remember "Bananafish" since it is the first story, is very witty and has Seymour Glass in it. My favorite is "De Daumier Smith's Blue Period," which is acutely hilarious, but also nails a process we all go through of rationalizing and getting honest. Of course, they are all great.

Maybe the sweetest and most intriguing is "Teddy," which I always think of as the next jumping off place for J.D. Salinger, and leaves me feeling hopeful.

If you only read one Salinger book in your life, pick this one.

As J.D. Salinger, famous reclusive author of "Catcher in the Rye," rebuffs all requests for interviews and is said to consign fan letters to the garbage, most of these letters have a tenuous air. At least the writers can be assured their letters will be read, if not by Mr. Salinger (shame on him!), by other Salinger junkies.

The letters are divided into sections from Writers and Readers, Students and Teachers, and From the Web. The letters run the gamut from a touching letter to Holden "thanks for being your sixteen year old self forever" from Alma Luz Villanueva to a question from Joanne Cavanaugh Simpson: " In the end, I guess you, like Holden, decided not to ever tell anybody anything again. But even so, don't you miss everybody?"

Some letters are in the form of poems, some are breezy and informal ("Howzit goin' Jerry?"), others are painfully stiff, but almost all have the hope that J.D. will at some date, sometime read them. There is the query from a young poet in England that would like to know the proper pronunciation of "Zooey" since that is his name. His mother, in an excess of enthusiasm for Salinger, named him after that notable character, but never was quite sure how it was pronounced. An admiring e-mail from Nicole Corrow says, "--you're SO *fantastically* BRILLIANT you could make me relate to a whisk broom." The only one I found one huge yawn was a woman who quoted a rigidly boring section (looong) of her doctoral thesis in hopes, I presume, the master would read it and be properly impressed.

Editor Chris Kubica provides a lively introduction and Will Hochman does the honors in a postscript that nicely summarizes what we have read. I found the book sometimes amusing and frequently thoughtful. This is a handsomely produced book that would make a nice gift to your favorite Salingerophile.

Collaboratively edited by Chris Kubica (operator of the jdsalinger.com website) and Will Hochman (Assistant Professor of English, Southern Connecticut State University) Letters To J. D. Salinger is a remarkable compendium over more than one hundred and fifty personal letters addressed to J. D. Salinger, the renowned American author of the timeless classic "The Catcher in the Rye." The diverse impressions and emotions of people from all walks of life who were influenced by Salinger's literary masterpiece makes for a rewarding reading with insight into the depths of the power truly great writing can have upon a human generation. Letters To J. D. Salinger is a unique and highly recommended reading for the legions of J. D. Salinger enthusiasts.

It was a pleasure to see a book published about J.D. Salinger's writing as opposed to a tell-all about the famous recluse. The editors sent the call out to young (or youngish) writers for their take on JDS.

Essays by Walter Kirn and Renee Steinke were delightful views of meeting up with Holden Caulfield from an entirely different background than the New York, prep, affluent Salinger character. Mr. Kirn hails from a small town in MN and thought of Holden as a dashing sophisticated fellow while Ms. Steinke is a preacher's daughter from Friendswood, TX and saw Holden as a fellow outsider. These were fond and enlightening essays that showed "Catcher in the Rye" was without boundaries.

Lucinda Rosenfeld's "The Trouble With Franny" takes an in-depth look at Franny Glass and how perceptions change when rereading as an adult. John McNally does an excellent job in discussing and illustrating the minor characters in JDS's work and how perfect the brevity and broad brush make even once-mentioned characters memorable. Co-editor Thomas Beller made me think about what it's like to live in "Salinger Weather," a closely reasoned, brilliant piece written with brio! Jane Mendelsohn has an achingly sensitive article, "Holden Caulfield: A Love Story," about how her first take on Holden was a romantic crush, but deepened into a bemused love as she gradually saw the tragedy and despair of Holden.

According to the Introduction, the writers were given carte blanche. Herein lies a problem. Some of the essayists took this to mean a great deal of talk about themselves with the merest nod to J. D. Salinger. One contribution was a fairish "New Yorker" type short story that had the heroine carrying a copy of "Franny & Zooey" as the sole link that I could see to the author. Another most unpleasant young lady was very proud of being young (a temporary condition at best), and allowed as to how she might give Holden a go.

As all the writers are professionals, I was unhappy with the amount of self-indulgence displayed in some (but not all) of the articles. Almost all of the writers were introduced to Salinger as required reading in the 8th or 9th grade. Perhaps that is part of the problem. Discovery by oneself is a much more powerful way to meet a new author, and your insights are your own.

The five excellent essays and a couple more I would rate as good workmanlike jobs make "With Love and Squalor" a good choice for a true Salinger lover.

This is one of the best books I've read about a writer. Each of the 14 articles gives us a different point of view on old J.D., and all of them come up with great insights.

My favorite is "Salinger and Sobs", written by Charles D'Ambrosio (we're sure going to hear this name a lot). This article is very sensitive and really touching. I think the guy understood Salinger - and Holden Caulfield - very deeply.

"The Salinger Weather", by Thomas Beller, is also fascinating. Take a look at this quote: "... there is the fear I have that if you're a Salinger fan, if you are living in the Salinger Weather, you can never have a relationship with another person. I mean a developed, adult, love-type relationship." He hit the mark! And that makes us think a lot.

Well, I had a lot of fun with "Good-bye, Holden Caulfield. I Mean It. Go! Go!", by Walter Kirn.

When it comes to the "with squalor" part of the book, Emma Forrest's piece is very charming. She says that Salinger quit publishing because he sort of knew he could not be one of the greatest world's writers, because he knew he was not so good as people would expect after "Catcher". That sounded like a challenge. And it is a shame that J.D. didn't take it on.

Anyway, if you're a Salinger freak, or if you just like a great reading, this book is indispensable.

This is an excellent survey of the influence(or lack there of in some cases) that J. D. Salinger has exercised over the literary world. Each essay is written by a contemporary writer who details his/her experience with Salinger and his work. All of the essays are very interesting and well done.
However, the essays in the book raise another question, the answer to which isn't found within the essays. What is the influence of Salinger on ordinary people? Is there any or has he had very little influence beyond the writing community. Has the experience of ordinary readers been similar to or totally different from the essay writers? Almost all high school and college students are required to read The Catcher in the Rye and somtimes Salinger's other works, this is where most of the essay writers became acquainted with him. Yet none of the writers attempt to really go beyond their own experience to examine that bigger question. That is too bad, the book would have been even more interesting had some attempt been made to examine this question. Maybe there needs to be a sequel that explores it.

I read most of Salinger's works, and I find it hard to decidewhich one is the best, Catcher in the Rye or Franny and Zooey. Frannyand Zooey is about the religion of people. Religion in the sense of understanding the purpose of our existence, why we live and what or whom we live for. Franny exemplifies one who is searching for meaning in her life, one who refrains from the world she sees because of its superficiality. Zooey, on the other hand, experienced this inner struggle before and had come to a deeper understanding of what life is about and how to live this life. The dialogue between Franny and Zooey is amazing, which only demonstrates Salinger's insight on human existence. Zooey helps Franny to come to an understanding not by preaching but by relating to her in a way that she can understand, namely the Fat Lady in their childhood. The story offers an answer to why we should find what we do best and fulfill that potential. To live the fullest is to be religious. Salinger implies that each person has this religion within. One only needs to discover and understand.

In a nutshell - offspring who are too intelligent for their own good, oblivious parents, suicide, meaning of life, nervous breakdown, our purpose, and references like being an arhat thrown in here and there. It all felt very personal and familiar and made me wonder how many other people would find that these two stories hit close to home.

I should mention that I just discovered recently that this is my brothers favorite book (and he's no "phony"). I wouldn't rate it as my favorite, but I do have an affinity with this text, having now read it twice, once as a teenager and now as a thirtysomething.

Salinger describes this work in the preface as "a pretty skimpy looking book". It's certainly short, but both stories are funny and addresses how a family - albeit highly dysfunctional by today's pop-psychology standards - deals with issues like death and suicide.

I really enjoyed the interplay in the second story between brother and sister Franny and Zooey over big questions like the search for wisdom, being real and losing the ego.

Having read all three of Salinger's published books, I was eager to see what he had to say in his other major piece on the Glass family. Besides indulging us in this unusual collection of characters, Salinger provides his answers to some of the most perplexing problems in his others stories, including 'catcher in the rye.' We all remember Holden's difficulty dealing with all the phony people in society as well as the death of his brother Allie. In this novel, Zooey guides Franny as she uncovers unsettling truths about phony people, and ultimately gives her some reassurance that meditation and reflection on mythical figures can answer these anxieties. Anyone who has read this book might also want to read 'Raise High the Roofbeams Carpenters; and Seymour, an Introduction' to learn more about Seymouor, who plays such a vital role in 'F&Z' despite the fact he isn't in it. Moreover, 'F&Z' gives some hints as to how Seymour met his mysterious fate.

All this being said, you can see how there is so much to get out of this novel. If it weren't for the fact that I read 'Catcher' when I was young, this novel woudl have undoubtedly become my favorite Salinger piece.

The catcher in the rye is a great book teenage people should read, This book is a classic for many reasons. One important is the fact how easily people can relate to the character (Holden) in the book Holden often expresses his confusion and loneliness throughout the story, which many teens can look back on and relate. The story happens in new York city in a period of 4 days .I truly recommend this book because I loved the way Sallinger wrote it making everything so real and the way he describes everything .He makes the reader relate to the story that is what makes it so special.

I was in despepate need for help reading "The Catcher in the Rye" even though it was a good book. I read Cliffs note and I read this. Personally I thought this helped me out more.

I FOUND THE BOOK RELATEABLE TO REAL LIFE SITUTAIONS.THE LANGUAGE USED WAS INTRESTING BECAUSE MANY TEENAGERS DO SPEAK THIS WAY, AND CAN UNDERSTAND THE POINT OF VIEW HE IS COMIMG OUT WITH. THE BOOK IS VERY STRONG, THE POINTS THAT ARE BEING MADE ARE VERY HARD HITTING, IN DEPTH, AND THE MESSAGE WAS WRITTEN TO GET THE POINT STRAIGHT ACROSS. I DON'T READ BOOKS I FIND THEM TO BE BORING, I READ PORTRY AND PLAYS. BUT I FOUND THE BOOK TO BE SO INSPIRING ALSO ON TARGET WITH TODAY'S SOCIETY. I WOULD RECOMMEND IT TO ANY FRIST TIME READERS, OR PEOPLE THAT ARE LOOKING FOR EXCITMENT, COMEDEY, AND ACTION. WITH A HARD HITTING MEANING BEHIND THE BOOK THAT COINSIDES WITH REAL LIFE.

No one that I've recommended Raise High the Roofbeam, Carpenters to has been disappointed. Really funny, interesting, and sad all at the same time. If you like J.D. Salinger I can't imagine how you won't like this. A lot of people I've talked to have said that they started "Seymour: An Introduction" but didn't finish it because they thought it was too dense or they didn't like it for some other reason, but I highly recommend reading it because I think it is his best work. The fact that they both come together is great. With the low price and the fact that the book can fit in a larger pocket easily, there's no reason not to buy this.

Both of these stories were beautiful, beautiful beautiful. It baffles me to read all of these reviews written by people who were wild about "Raise high..." and almost indifferent toward "Seymour:" I feel that Seymour was the single most important book out of the Glass series. Yes, it's difficult to get through the first time, because, as Buddy says, the General Reader's most immediate want is to "see the author get the hell on with his story," which Buddy doesn't do because, really, there is no "story." However, if you are the type of person who can sit still long enough to follow through with Buddy's run on sentences and footnotes, et cetera, you will find, tucked in several places throughout the story, "the good, the real," the holy. I've read this book about 5 times, and I can't help walking around dazed for days after I'm through with it, marvelling at the tiny things that have suddenly taken on a sort of surreal beauty. My personal Salinger favorite. -Bridgdawg@aol.com

I have, as most Salinger fans, been fascinated by his literature since my formative teenage years. Catcher In The Rye is the only book in high school I ever bothered to read twice. And it was not so much because of some sort of personal identification with the Holden Caulfield character. It was deeper. It was all about style with me. I could not then, and still cannot, get over the piercing conversational and introspective tones that dominate Salinger's work. How did he get us so interested in a fictional family anyway? Raise High The Roofbeams Carpenters and Seymour: An Introduction is one of the few texts I can read over and over and still get something new out of. I can't explain it. I don't know how many times I have started thumbing through Seymour: An Introduction and started reading a passage that I could swear I've never seen before. My memory can't be that bad. I think what it is really, is Salinger's ability to create a text that can be rediscovered many times by the same reader. I don't believe he planned it that way, but his work does indeed stand up with the great literature of the 20th Century. From adolescents to geriatrics, I believe all of us can identify with some part of his work and enjoy it for what it is: Classic, timeless, and something different for everyone.

I've read The Catcher in the Rye many times--when I was 11, 13, 15, and 17 years old. Seriously. I loved it from the first time I read it, but it didn't hit home until I was a junior and senior in high school.

I AM HOLDEN CAULFIELD. Well, not literally and exactly. But almost. Holden is an extraordinary character. His absolute terror of leaving the wonderful, innocent, carefree world of youth is something everyone can relate to. I'm about to graduate from high school, and even though I'm excited to be a free, independent adult, I can't help but be terrified of the corruption and hard reality that lays ahead, which I have been blind to, as a young person. I mean--who wouldn't miss being a kid?--living at home for free, not having to do anything or be responsible for yourself or anyone. Holden embodies this. To me, that's what I related to most from the book.

Most kids I know don't like the book cuz they're forced to read it for class, which is understandable. I wish they could see the beauty, and heartbreaking universality of Holden's story, though. It is something J.D. Salinger had the talent to grasp, and share it with the rest of the world.

And it's so freakin' inspirational I have to go on Amazon.com and tell some people!

"Catcher in the Rye" is a coming of age novel, though not in the usual mold. It is a brilliant and in-depth study of a young man -- Holden Caulfield -- who has just been booted out of his private school. Written in the 1950's, it still rings true today.

Holden finds phonies and liars in all the adults and all the characters he runs into.

He has an astute gauge of character, and has a way of finding the emptiness in the money-chasing, status-seeking Manhattanites he runs into.

"The Catcher in the Rye" refers to Holden's dream in which he tries to save children from falling into adulthood; he's the catcher who's trying to stop kids from becoming jaded and phony adults. A five-star book.

A similar book one might read is the newer novel by one Asher Brauner, "Love Songs of the Tone-Deaf." It is a brilliant book set in Santa Cruz, California and shows how a jaded, uninvolved young man becomes passionately involved with both a woman and a political cause.

Do read "Catcher in the Rye" if you want to realign your priorities and reinvigorate your sense of joie-de-vivre.

I have got quite a big personal library during the years. At some stage I bought both The Catcher in the Rye and Franny and Zooey by J.D. Salinger, but never got around to read them. Finally on a trip to Europe a couple of months ago, stopping in New York on the way, I packed The Catcher in the Rye in my luggage. As it is set in New York I started reading it on the plane from New York to London. And did I enjoy it?! Man, what have I been thinking, waiting so long? I got so much on terms with Holden Caulfield, that I started to write like him in a couple of letters I wrote. The evening I arrived in London there was a brilliant documentary about J.D. Salinger on TV. I was totally absorbed, and enjoyed every page of the book, admired Salinger's portrayal of adolescence. Such a comic and touching novel. I continued to read it on the train up north through Sweden and at some stage laughed so much I had to put the book down - people were looking strangely at me. They just fitted into the book, had probably never read it. I have and I loved every bit of it. Not to be missed, so don't wait, just go ahead and read it!

It was interesting to read "Catcher in the Rye" because somewhere in the story I found myself as Holden or it reminded me of people that were like Holden, Ackley etc. The story was well written in the sense that it kept you in suspense of what Holden's other move would be. Whether he would go to the bar to get drunk or would secretly visit his little sister. The story also reflects one's opinion about the society Holden is living in. A place where a wide range of social unrest exists that cannot be handled by a 16 year old. The main theme of the story revolves around Holden's life, which at times is carelessness, negative attitude, romance and softness. Lastly one can learn from this story as to avoid ignorance and carelessness in life, which if followed will leave to an ending similar to as Holden's.

What J.D Salinger has done is what many folks of the last few generations wish had never happened and only now jump for joy at. The Catcher in The Rye has opened the door to many a writer who may with the classes looking down on them may not have written fantastic books. A perfect example would be Stephen Chobosky and his book "The Perks of Being a Wallflower". I am by no means however comparing this titles I would just like to mention that books by authors like Chobosky would not be around were it not for the vision of Salinger and his little red book. The blunt honesty of Holden Caulfield and the way that with every twist and turn of life he remains true to himself and even at times with the other characters will remain the staple of this classic and though many years have passed this book (and forgive for the next out dated pharse) like a fine wine can and will only get better.

This book was simply amazing. Unlike any other book I've read, this book uses language that a true teen of such years would use. The reader is able to be a part of the story rather than just a reader. The true emotions of the character seem to be the honest feelings of each human spirit at heart, rather we are able to admit it or not. His view of certain situations and of the world in general is a blunt realization and indenification of reality. 5 stars and 2 thumbs up!!

I started to hate Holden because he frustrated me so much. His constantly negative remarks about everyone, his lazyness and uncaring attitude,and his superiority all bothered me. As I read, I began to understand his character more and I liked him. As soon as it is accepted that there is a little Holden in all of us, the book is more enjoyable. It taught me many lessons about motivation, superficiality and understanding. Read it, it's very well written.

When I first read this book, I had no idea where it was heading, as the writer just jumped straight into the plot. As I continued through the story, I began to think that Holden was just as phony as the many people that he hates, though soon, I began to realise that his negative attitude is a result of being let down too many times, thereby, he seeing no point in making an effort himself. I find his protection of Phoebe incredibly sweet, considering the type of person he is, and the fact that he wants to protect her from the 'real world'shows that he is scared that she might one day become like those 'phonies'. This is an amazing book, which will captivate your mind. An extremely positive recommendation comes from this girl.

I absolutely loved this book. Holden Caulfield captures the essence of youth and all the troubles that the youth of any era must go through. A great book for anyone, from a high school student to someone in their 40's. This book will have you laughing, sympathizing and nearly in tears as you read about this troubled young man.